Yorkshire
Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog
breed of terrier type, developed in the 19th century
in the county of Yorkshire, England to catch rats
in clothing mills. The defining features of the
breed are its size, 3 pounds (1.4 kg) to 7
pounds (3.2 kg), and its silky blue and tan
coat. The breed is nicknamed Yorkie and is placed
in the Toy Terrier section of the Terrier Group
by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale
and in the Toy Group or Companion Group by other
kennel clubs, although all agree that the breed
is a terrier. A popular companion dog, the Yorkshire
Terrier has also been part of the development of
other breeds, such as the Australian Silky Terrier.

For adult Yorkshire Terriers, importance is placed
on coat colour, quality, and texture. The hair must
be glossy, fine, straight, and silky. Traditionally
the coat is grown-out long and is parted down the
middle of the back, but "must never impede
movement."

From the back of the neck to the base of the tail,
the coat should be a dark gray to a steel-blue,
and the hair on the tail should be a darker blue.
On the head, high chest, and legs, the hair should
be a bright, rich tan, darker at the roots than
in the middle, that shades into a lighter tan at
the tips. Also, in adult dogs, there should be no
dark hairs intermingled with any of the tan coloured
fur.

Adult Yorkshire Terriers that have other coat colours
than the above, or that have woolly or extra fine
coats, are still Yorkshire Terriers. The only difference
is that atypical Yorkshire Terriers should not intentionally
be bred. In addition, care may be more difficult
for "woolly" or "cottony" textured
coats, or coats that are overly fine. One of the
reasons given for not breeding "off-coloured"
Yorkies is that the colour could be a potential
indicator of a genetic defect that may affect the
dog's health, a careful health screening can clarify
if any health risks exist.

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